I can personally attest that the two year junior (community) college strategy can successfully save money. My parents couldn't afford to send me to college, and I certainly did not have the money to go away to a 4 year school. My option was attending Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York and transferring to SUNY at Buffalo to earn my BS.
Along with the money savings, there was flexibility. I was able to start in one program, find out that I was not suited by it, and switch to earn my AAS in another program. (And I didn't loose much time and money in the transition.) This gave me a good start for UB.
Here's more from an article in the Detroit News included in the Michigan Business News Blog post: A Buyer's Market for College Applicants
Community colleges, which can cost about one-fourth of public universities, have been booming in recent years, reaching a 10-year peak at nearly 235,000 students in 2008.
Historically, community college enrollment spikes when the economy is down and flattens when it prospers.
"We have no reason to expect any downward trend in enrollment, at least in the short term," said Mike Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.
Not only are enrollments growing for career and technical training, but colleges are also seeing younger students, who are choosing to start off at community colleges rather than four-year universities to save on costs.
"Our tuition is going to be a lower rate, and they can save on room and board as well," said John Bolden, executive vice chancellor at Wayne County Community College District, which is bracing for record enrollment in the fall. "That gives (students) a real strong option."
Tuition and fees are $1,009.75 for a semester of 15 credits at WCCCD, $936.50 at Oakland Community College and $1,080 at Macomb Community College. Average cost of a semester of 15 credits at Michigan public universities is about $4,300.
"Community college can be a great option for students," Bennett said. "It can reduce out-of-pocket expenses $10,000 or more a year -- especially if a student is funding college themselves."
Recognizing the demand for lower-cost education, community colleges have increased their partnerships with four-year universities, offering programs ranging from architecture and accounting to business and computers. The agreements ensure that community college students can easily transfer credits to a university to finish out a bachelor's degree.
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